Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen and inflamed veins located in the lower part of the rectum and the anus. Piles can lead to discomfort, pain, and bleeding during bowel movements. In India, around 1 million new cases of piles are reported each year. According to a study, about 50% of people will develop haemorrhoids by age 50, and at any given time, around 5% of the population suffers from them.
A key factor in managing and preventing piles is diet. Adding specific food for piles in your diet can help you reduce your symptoms and promote better digestive health. But what are the foods that can be used to fight haemorrhoids? Let’s answer that with 20 foods that can help fight haemorrhoids naturally in this blog. But first, let’s understand the importance of diet for managing piles.
The food we eat is very important in managing piles (haemorrhoids). Eating foods that are high in fibre and drinking plenty of fluids can make stools softer and easier to pass. This is important because straining during bowel movements can put extra pressure on the veins in the rectal area. Regular bowel movements help keep your digestive system healthy and prevent constipation, which can make haemorrhoids more painful.
On the other hand, if your diet lacks fibre, stools can become hard and difficult to pass. This can lead to constipation, which increases the pressure on the rectal veins and can worsen piles. By adding high fibre foods for piles in your diet, you can help manage and reduce the symptoms.
The old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, is true in more ways than one. Apples are high in soluble fibre and pectin, which aid in digestion and help maintain bowel regularity. Eat apples raw as a snack, bake them for a healthy dessert, or add them to salads for a nutritious crunch. One medium-sized apple, with the skin on, contains approximately 4.4 grams of fibre. This amount accounts for roughly 17% of the recommended daily fibre intake for adults.
Though avocados are not native to India, they are very healthy and can be a great addition to your diet. Avocados have both healthy monounsaturated fats and fibre, making them highly beneficial for maintaining a healthy digestive system. One medium avocado offers about 10 grams of fibre, both soluble and insoluble, which helps to keep stools soft and supports regular bowel movements. Use avocados in salads, as a spread like guacamole, or add them to smoothies for a creamy texture and nutrient boost.
Bananas are known for their gentle effect on the digestive system, thanks to their high fibre content. They are commonly consumed for their constipation-relieving effects. Each banana contains about 3 grams of fibre, which helps to regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. The natural sugars and potassium in bananas also provide quick energy and support overall gut health. They can be eaten on their own as a convenient snack or added to smoothies and cereals for a nutritious start to your day.
Due to their high fibre and antioxidant content, berries like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries are excellent for managing piles (haemorrhoids). Antioxidants in these fruits reduce inflammation and protect the delicate tissues around the rectal area. Berries also have a high water content, which keeps stools hydrated and aids smooth digestion. You can easily incorporate berries into your diet by eating them fresh, mixing them into yoghurt, adding them to cereals, or blending them into smoothies.
Broccoli is a fibre-rich cruciferous vegetable that promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. A cup of cooked broccoli contains about 5 grams of fibre. It is also packed with vitamins and antioxidants that support overall health. Broccoli can be added to salads, stir-fries, or steamed as a nutritious side dish to help manage piles and improve gut health.
Carrots provide a good balance of soluble and insoluble fibre, supporting digestive health and regular bowel movements. A medium carrot offers about 2 grams of fibre. The fibre in carrots helps add bulk to stools and facilitates their passage through the digestive tract. They can be eaten raw as a crunchy snack, steamed as a side dish, or included in soups and stews for added flavour and nutrition. Carrots also have other health benefits, so adding carrots to your regular diet can be a great way to stay healthier.
Chia seeds are packed with fibre and can absorb water to form a gel-like consistency. This helps soften stools and promote regular bowel movements. You can add chia seeds to smoothies, yoghurts, or oatmeal. They can also be a good addition to your breakfast.
Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are rich in fibre and vitamin C, aiding digestion and supporting overall health. A medium-sized orange contains 3 grams of fibre, which accounts for about 10% of an adult’s daily recommended fibre intake. These fruits help to soften stools and make bowel movements easier.
Cucumbers have a high water content and provide a good amount of fibre, helping to keep stools soft and hydrated. One medium cucumber with its skin offers about 2 grams of fibre. This hydration and fibre content support smooth digestion and regular bowel movements. You can eat raw cucumbers or add them to salads. Cucumbers are also very versatile and can be added to recipes and eaten with other ingredients like yoghurt to get additional health benefits.
Figs, whether fresh or dried, are high in fibre and can help ease constipation, making them a great choice for managing piles. A small serving of dried figs (about 3-4 figs) provides around 5 grams of fibre. This fibre helps to add bulk to the stool and promotes smooth bowel movements. Eat figs as a snack, or add them to cereals, salads, and desserts for added flavour and nutrition. In India, dried figs are known as “anjeer” and are available readily, so make sure you try them.
Leafy green vegetable foods are best for piles. These greens, including broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and kale, are full of fibre, which helps soften stools and make bowel movements easier. They also contain antioxidants and essential nutrients that support healthy digestion and lower inflammation in the body. Other beneficial greens like cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, asparagus, and sprouts also contribute to smoother digestion and regular bowel movements. Adding additional fibre to your diet is good for your digestive health. You can talk to your doctor regarding the portion requirements of leafy greens for your age to get the best benefits for your haemorrhoid symptoms.
Legumes, such as beans, lentils, and peas, are loaded with proteins, B vitamins, and essential minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium. They also contain important amino acids. These nutrients are essential for your overall health and help your body heal and manage inflammation, which is especially beneficial if you have piles. Indian cuisine has several easy recipes to help you incorporate legumes into your diet, so make sure you check them out to relieve your haemorrhoid symptoms.
There are various nuts you can add to your diet for health benefits. Almonds and walnuts are excellent sources of fibre and healthy fats, which support digestive health. A small handful of nuts provides around 3-4 grams of fibre. The fibre from nuts helps add bulk to stools, making them easier to pass, while healthy fats support and nourish your digestive system. You can sprinkle nuts on cereals and salads or incorporate them into snacks and meals for added texture and nutrition.
Oats are a good source of soluble fibre, which absorbs water and helps to soften stools, making them easier to pass through the digestive tract. This helps to ease the pressure during bowel movements. Oats are packed with healthy nutrients like beta-carotene, polyphenols, chlorophyll, and flavonoids. These nutrients help to reduce inflammation and protect your cells from damage. Because of these properties, eating oats can help manage the discomfort and swelling caused by piles. You can eat oatmeal for breakfast or add oat bran to smoothies.
Another fruit that can help you manage your haemorrhoids is pears. They are a great source of dietary fibre, especially when consumed with their skin intact. A medium pear provides about 6 grams of fibre, which aids in relieving constipation and promoting regular bowel movements. The fibre in pears bulks up stools, making them easier to pass and reducing haemorrhoid strain.
Prunes (dired plums) also called Alu Bukhara in India are well-known for their natural laxative effect due to their high fibre and sorbitol content. The sorbitol in prunes draws water into the colon, helping to soften stools and facilitate regular bowel movements. Eating a few prunes daily or drinking prune juice can help keep bowel movements regular and relieve constipation.
Pumpkin is rich in fibre, which aids in keeping the digestive system running smoothly. A cup of cooked pumpkin provides about 7 grams of fibre. It helps in adding bulk to stools and promotes easy bowel movements, reducing the strain on haemorrhoids. Pumpkin can be used in soups, stews, or baked goods to add a nutritious boost to your meals and support digestive health.
Sweet potatoes are high in dietary fibre and have a low glycemic index, which aids in digestion and blood sugar control. A medium-sized sweet potato contains roughly 4 grams of fibre. They are rich in both soluble and insoluble fibre, which helps to regulate bowel movements and keep the digestive system smooth. Eat sweet potatoes baked, mashed, or added to soups and stews for a comforting and nutritious meal.
Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and barley are high in dietary fibre, which aids digestion and helps maintain regular bowel movements. Their fibres work like food for the good bacteria in your stomach, helping them grow. These healthy bacteria improve digestion and help manage piles by keeping your bowel movements regular and reducing inflammation in your colon. Adding whole grains to your meals supports a healthy digestive system. Some of the best examples of whole grains to incorporate into your diet are whole wheat, brown rice, millet, whole barley, and quinoa.
Probiotic-rich yoghurt helps support gut health and can improve digestion by maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria in the gut. These probiotics aid in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients more effectively. Regular consumption of yoghurt can promote regular bowel movements and reduce the discomfort of piles.
An appropriate diet saves space for piles management and prevention. High fiber foods and plenty of water with restricting foods that trigger constipation could reduce symptoms considerably. In addition to this dietary intervention, the expert medical team at MASSH Hospital, Delhi offers the best treatment options for permanent relief from piles.
If you suffer from piles and need expert intervention, consult MASSH Hospital today for a comprehensive treatment plan.
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